Overdose death leads to couple booked for murder, Tangipahoa sheriff says

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - A Hammond couple has been booked with offenses related to murder, guns, and drugs following the overdose death of a 29-year-old man.

Jordan Kenyatta Spears, 30, was booked for second-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and distribution of a Schedule II narcotic.

His girlfriend, Heather Simms, 33, was booked with principal to second-degree murder, conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession of a stolen firearm, and obstruction of justice.

“This agency is committed to not only ridding our parish’s streets of deadly drugs, as well as those who spread them through the community, but also holding those drug dealers accountable when the poison they push steals the lives of people struggling with addiction,” said Sheriff Gerald Sticker.

Deputies say they were called out to a residence on John’s Drive in Tickfaw about an unresponsive man who died despite life-saving efforts by first responders.

Spears soon became a suspect after an investigation was launched into the victim’s overdose, which the coroner confirmed. He was booked on Wednesday (April 23) in Baton Rouge and transferred to the Tangipahoa jail on Friday. Deputies say that at the time of his booking, it was discovered that there were two outstanding felony warrants out for Spears.

During a search of Spears’s apartment, Simms was taken into custody after deputies say they uncovered evidence of her involvement in a drug distribution operation, as well as a stolen gun.

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